Thailand is one of the most popular destinations that Singaporeans often fly to. With its close proximity, deep cultural history, friendly locals, and delectable cuisine, it ticks off every requirement for a perfect holiday. So much so that many tourists come back from the Land of Smiles thinking of moving there for the long term.
While the Singaporean and Thai housing markets are quite different, it’s not that difficult to plant some roots in our neighbouring country if you have a valid education or business visa. If you are considering making a move and settling down in Thailand, here’s a preview of what you can expect to buy if you have the budget of a 5-room resale HDB flat.
How much does a 5-room resale flat cost in Singapore?
First, let’s put things into context. Here is a table listing the median price of a 5-room resale flat for each town in Singapore.
| Town | Price |
| Ang Mo Kio | $788,000 |
| Bedok | $695,000 |
| Bishan | $918,000 |
| Bukit Batok | $767,500 |
| Bukit Merah | $959,000 |
| Bukit Panjang | $620,000 |
| Choa Chu Kang | $603,000 |
| Hougang | $655,000 |
| Jurong East | $628,000 |
| Jurong West | $588,000 |
| Kallang/Whampoa | $880,400 |
| Pasir Ris | $663,000 |
| Punggol | $670,000 |
| Sembawang | $602,900 |
| Sengkang | $610,000 |
| Tampines | $685,000 |
| Toa Payoh | $881,900 |
| Woodlands | $598,500 |
| Yishun | $660,000 |
Source: HDB
Note: The prices in this table are based on data from late-2023.
From the table above, we can determine that the median price of a resale 5-room flat in Singapore is approximately $677,750, which loosely converts to 18 million THB.
What properties can you buy in Thailand with around 18M THB (S$677,000)?
We’ve found that the standout aspect among Thai houses in this price bracket is that they’re considered luxury properties, given the mix of modern amenities, prime location, and sheer size over an average 5-room resale flat in Singapore.
Massive hillside villa in Pattaya – 19.9M THB (S$740,416)
@luxurypropertypattaya บ้านพลูวิล่าหรู 1 ชั้น สไตล์โมเดิร์น ทรอปิคอล บนเนินเขาสูง 40-60 เมตรจากระดับน้ำทะเล ให้คุณสัมผัสความเป็นส่วนตัวและใกล้ชิดกับธรรมชาติ การันตรีคุณภาพด้วยรางวัล Best Housing Architectural Design ปี 2019 📍ที่ตั้ง: ทุ่งกลม-ตาลหมัน, พัทยา เนื้อที่ดิน 165 ตรว. พื้นที่ใช้สอย 365 ตรม. ✅3ห้องนอน | 4ห้องน้ำ ✅3 ที่จอดรถ ✅สระว่ายน้ำส่วนตัว ✅ระบบรักษาความปลอดภัย24 ชม. 🚩ราคา 19.9 ลบ. (ตกแต่งครบ พร้อมเฟอร์นิเจอร์) ติดต่อสอบถามข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมได้ที่ 📞: +66 84 585 1894 Line ID: @498htnpp A luxurious single-story pool villa in modern tropical style, located on a high hillside 40-60 meters above sea level, allowing you to experience privacy and close to nature. Quality guaranteed with the Best Housing Architectural Design Award 2019. 📍Location : Toongklom-Talman, Pattaya Land Size : 660 sqm. Living area : 365 sqm ✅3 𝐁𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 | 4 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 ✅3 Parking ✅Swimming Pool ✅24 hour Security 🚩Price 19.9 MB. (Fully Furnished) For more information 📞: +66 84 585 1894 Line ID: @498htnpp #บ้านพัทยา #pattayarealestate #รีวิวอสังหาริมทรัพย์ #พลูวิลล่าพัทยา #รีวิวบ้าน #housepattayaforsale
A prime example of one such luxury estate is this massive villa in Pattaya with a scenic view of the hillside. The estate features 3 bedrooms overlooking a serene private pool. It also houses a spacious garden with lush greenery, easily accessible by each bedroom via a short passageway.
Source: Pearl property Pattaya
Its expansive size really hammers home the impression that this is a luxury estate. At 3,900sqft, it’s more than 3 times bigger than a 5-room flat in Singapore. The cherry on top is that it comes fully furnished, adding even more value to the property.
Source: Pearl property Pattaya
Homeowners in Pattaya can expect to enjoy the beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and vast multitude of exciting outdoor activities like hiking, parasailing, and scuba diving. Additionally, Pattaya is home to a thriving expat community, attracting individuals seeking familiarity and support while adapting to new environments.
Luxury condo in the heart of Bangkok – 15M THB (S$558,000)
Image credit: Elite Homes
For those who prefer high-rise living, you can buy a 3-room duplex unit at The Unique Sukhumvit. A duplex unit, much like an HDB executive maisonette in Singapore, is a single unit that spans 2 floors, and you’ll be the proud owner of a 1,345sqft home. You’d be in the company of plenty of fellow expats, as The Unique Sukhumvit is a development catered towards a foreign clientele.
Like most condos, this property offers amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, and library. However, what sets The Unique Sukhumvit apart is its convenient access to public transportation. It’s a mere 5-minute walk away from Bang Chak BTS station, making it easy to get around the bustling city of Bangkok.
Image credit: Elite Homes
While it may not be in close proximity to any shopping malls, The Unique Sukhumvit is a short walk away from Bang Chak Square, an open market that’s similar to the bazaars in Singapore. Residents will find themselves frequenting this vibrant spot to indulge in a variety of delicious cuisines and seasonal activities.
Can foreigners own properties in Thailand?
Image credit: Jose Llamas on Unsplash
Those pining to move out of Singapore will be relieved to hear that foreigners can own properties in Thailand. The process to purchase a condo is decidedly straightforward, though there is a foreign resident quota for each condo: a minimum of 51% of a condo’s units must be Thai-owned.
Unfortunately, foreigners cannot legally own land in Thailand. Foreign individuals are not allowed to directly own land under their name, but there are ways for foreigners to effectively control land, one of which involves setting up a Thai Limited company.
The catch is that 51% of the company’s shares must be thai-held before it can be considered a Thai company. If the conditions are fulfilled, acquiring land under the company’s name is possible, allowing for ownership of a villa. This method even allows for more control via indirect ownership of the land.
Another method for those who want to buy a villa may acquire it through leasehold arrangements. The leasehold lasts a maximum of 30 years, after which the arrangement can be renewed on a case-by-case basis.
Expats are also required to fulfil land and building tax obligations every year, going up to as high as 35% of their taxable income.
What can I get in Thailand for the price of a Singaporean 5-room resale flat?
The properties that you can get in Thailand for the price of a 5-room resale flat are quite impressive. These are properties whose Singaporean equivalents would easily exceed the million-dollar price point.
For more housing guides in SG:
- Here’s How Much You Need To Earn To Afford A 5-Room BTO Flat
- 10 Most Affordable Neighbourhoods Where You Can Buy A 5-Room HDB Flat From As Low As $565K
- What is an HDB Executive Apartment – How Do They Differ From Jumbo & 5-Room HDB Flats?
Cover image adapted from: Swiss Interior, Pearl property Pattaya
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